Autographa californica

Autographa californica, the alfalfa looper, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Adolph Speyer in 1875. It is found in western North America from southern British Columbia to Baja California and to Manitoba, South Dakota, Colorado and New Mexico.

Caterpillar

Autographa californica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Autographa
Species:
A. californica
Binomial name
Autographa californica
(Speyer, 1875)

The wingspan is 36–42 mm. The moth flies from July to October depending on the location.

The larvae feed on a wide range of plants. Recorded food plants include species of families Apiaceae, Aquifoliaceae, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Ericaceae, Fabaceae, Grossulariaceae, Liliaceae, Lamiaceae, Linaceae, Malvaceae, Plantaginaceae, Poaceae, Podocarpaceae, Polygonaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rosaceae, Rutaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Solanaceae and Verbenaceae.

  • Anweiler, G. G. & Robinson, E. "Species Details Autographa californica". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  • Savela, Markku, ed. (August 29, 2020). "Autographa californica (Speyer, 1875)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  • Lotts, Kelly & Naberhaus, Thomas (2017). "Autographa californica (Speyer, 1875)". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Retrieved November 10, 2020.


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